154 ALONGSHORE m 



In that case, the seine's crew will have strolled 

 quietly together nearer the boat, still to all appear- 

 ance merely loungers on the beach, but in reality 

 as drowsily watchful as cats outside mouse holes. 



Suddenly one of them stiffens up and points — 

 points as if his life depended on it, as if some sort 

 of fit had struck him so. 



'There they be ! There they be ! There they 

 be !' he cries under his breath. 



'Where?' 



'There ! Casn' see ? To Steep Head o'us. — 

 There they be again!' he shouts outright; for it 

 no longer matters If the mackerel are sighted by 

 other seiners. Not far from shore the water Is 

 splashing with them. Gulls plunge into the 

 greenish swirl, and, chased by other gulls, circle 

 round with fish In their beaks. The shout gathers 

 force : 



'Lookse ! There they be ! Two schools o'em ! 

 Heading east they be. Come on ! Haul the 

 boat down. Us'U hae thic lot. Coom on, I tell 

 thee ! What's bide gaping there for? Roosh the 

 boat down.' 



Men race along to the seine-boat, looking back 

 over their shoulders at the sea. 



Ts the plug In? Baler there?' 



